FSLSRE C4

Chapter 4. Shall I Run Away with My Brother?

“I’ve always told you, haven’t I? While others say it takes ten or even fifteen years to pass the state examination, here at Ihwawon, it only takes five years to receive the royal exam flower! Now that only two years remain, you must devote yourselves even more diligently.”

“But Dano, has anyone really passed the exam in just five years? I can hardly believe it.”

At Siyul’s question, Dano nodded vigorously, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“Of course. There certainly has been.”

“And who would that be?”

“My father.”

“Besides your father?”

“Well… that is a confidential matter of Ihwawon.”

With that, Dano hurried off toward the kitchen. The scholars’ gazes followed her retreating figure.

“Shall I tell you that ‘confidential’ secret?”

At Yukho’s words, the scholars’ eyes lit up as they nodded eagerly.

“Dano’s father. He’s the only one. You’ve all been deceived by her.”

A snort of laughter escaped Siyul.

“I knew it. She’s been going around spreading rumors about some prodigy who passed in five years, and in the end, it turns out Miss Dano was the one pulling a trick.”

“Strictly speaking, it’s not a lie. She didn’t say anything that wasn’t true.”

“Look at you, Yuha, taking Dano’s side again. Fine then—why don’t you grant her wish yourself? As for me, I’m already a lost cause.”

Yukho clicked his tongue.

“Siyul, keep that up and you’ll end up just like me.”

“Oh dear, Uncle Yukho. Such frightening words.”

“If you keep drifting through life like that, the day will come when they call you Uncle Siyul.”

Amid their lively chatter, laughter filled Ihwawon during the midday meal. Dano, who had been in the kitchen, peeked her head out. A soft dimple formed on her cheek as she gazed at the warm and familiar courtyard.

Dano loved Ihwawon. It was her home, and the source of her happiness.

…And for Dano, there was also another source of strength—a quiet, secret moment of her own.

As the day drew to a close, in a room at the far end of Ihwawon, where a bluish dusk had settled, Dano pulled out a book she had hidden beneath a cabinet. Opening it halfway, a single dried flower revealed itself.

Had it already been three years? Though its once pure white petals had faded to a yellowish hue, it still evoked the memory of that night.

“Who on earth was that scholar…?”

Gently, she brushed her fingers over the brittle petals, and the memory of that night from three years ago resurfaced.

A scholar whose name, age, and face she did not know. Where could he be now?

Dano pressed her lower lip lightly with her fingertips, as if recalling the faint, lingering sensation that had touched her lips that night.

Spring was not only blooming in the branches overhead; wildflowers spilled abundantly across every path one stepped upon.

On the fresh green road of spring, Dano’s steps were light as she walked, tickled by the gentle breeze. Beside her, Yuha matched her pace, while San and Siyul followed behind, sometimes ahead, sometimes trailing.

“Aren’t you tired?”

Yuha suddenly asked.

“Tired of what?”

“You’re already handling all the inn’s work, and now you have to go to the market and sell goods as well.”

“Ah, I am tired.”

Yet despite her words, there was not a trace of weariness on Dano’s bright, smiling face.

“Especially on a day like this, when the weather is ridiculously nice. My heart feels restless, yet everything in the world seems so cheerful. On days like this, I just want to run away somewhere, to leave it all behind.”

“Dano, what about this brother of yours, Siyul? I’m confident I can keep you well-fed. Shall we run away together?”

“I appreciate your heartfelt sentiment, dear brother, but please keep it to yourself.”

Dano burst into laughter at Siyul’s teasing.

“What would I even do if I got married? Sounds boring.”

“So you really don’t plan to marry?”

“If I get married, who will take care of your exam studies? Though… if all three of you pass the state exam, I might consider it then.”

“Consider what? Marrying one of us?”

Dano giggled.

“Perhaps?”

“Now that’s a fine idea. It would be absurd for such a lovely lady to live alone forever. So go ahead—choose between me and Yuha. Just not that fellow San.”

“Can’t you keep your mouth shut?”

San snapped at Siyul.

“Oh my, San is angry. Upset that I left his name out? Fine then, Dano. Out of pity, include him among your potential husbands.”

“I’m not interested.”

As San and Siyul began arguing again, Dano hurriedly stepped between them.

“There you go again. You brothers can’t seem to go a day without quarreling. Anyway…”

As if something had just occurred to her, Dano untied the bundle she was carrying.

Three norigae ornaments appeared—decorated with beautiful white, yellow, and red gemstones. The warm sunlight glided smoothly over their polished surfaces.

“Aren’t they lovely?”

“They are. Made by Lady Hongju, I presume.”

“Yes. They were specially commissioned by Mister Hwang from the fabric shop. We should be able to get a good price for them.”

“It would be nice if Lady Hongju could come out and enjoy the fresh air on such a beautiful day.”

At Siyul’s remark, Dano merely smiled quietly instead of replying. As she gathered the ornaments, her expression briefly turned wistful.

‘Ihwawon’ meant “to guide and enlighten.” Yet at some point, people had begun calling it not by its original name, but “Two Flowers Inn,” written with the characters for ‘two’ and ‘flower,’ because of the two sisters who lived there—Dano and Hongju.

Hongju was the elder daughter of Ihwawon and Dano’s older sister. Yet even the scholars who had lived there for three years barely knew her face.

After suffering a terrible tragedy four years ago, Hongju had shut herself away in her room, cutting off all ties with the outside world. It had already been four years since she last stepped beyond the gates of Ihwawon.

A distant memory surfaced in Dano’s mind.

Back when she and Hongju used to roam the village hand in hand. There had once been days like that for her sister too…

“Ouch!”

Lost in thought, Dano stumbled—but before she could fall, San, who had been silently following behind, quickly reached out and caught her arm. The moment she regained her balance, he stepped back again.

“Are you alright?”

“Dano, are you hurt?”

Unlike Yuha and Siyul, who fussed over her, San had already returned to his usual indifferent expression.

“I was just lost in thought… I’m fine. Thank you, Brother San.”

“You should watch where you’re going. Don’t make things troublesome.”

San brushed off his hands curtly. Watching him, Siyul smirked.

“You’re quite the amusing fellow. I saw everything.”

“What?”

“You were way back there, but the moment Dano stumbled, you rushed over like lightning. I thought some guardian spirit had appeared. And yet listen to how you talk.”

“That never happened. I just happened to see and caught her.”

“Oh really? So you were silently walking while secretly watching her? You’re more sly than you look.”

San exhaled sharply in irritation.

“Who says I was watching her? Just shut your mouth.”

“I’ve always thought there was something suspicious about the way you look at Dano. Ah, poor Dano. To have caught the eye of such a cold-hearted fellow…”

“I’m not interested. Be quiet, Kim Siyul.”

“Say it properly—‘please be quiet, Brother Siyul.’”

“What kind of nonsense is that? Are you an idiot?”

Their quarrel showed no sign of ending. Yuha shrugged helplessly, and Dano burst into laughter once more.

As they entered the marketplace, a completely different scene from the quiet village unfolded before them. The lively cries of vendors selling rice cakes and sweets, the voices of people bargaining—everything brimmed with energy.

“Miss Dano, you’ve come! Oh my, and the scholars are with you today as well.”

“Miss Dano, you seem more beautiful every time I see you.”

“Miss! Have a bite of this before you go!”

Dano’s steps slowed as she greeted the merchants.

Her bright smile for everyone, her ease in expressing warmth—Dano had a way of making even onlookers smile.

After passing through the bustling entrance, she stopped in front of a fabric shop at the crossroads.

“Mister Hwang! I’ve brought the norigae.”

“Oh, Miss Dano.”

The shopkeeper came out with a smile. Dano unwrapped the bundle.

One jade ornament, one amber ornament, and one coral ornament.

Hongju’s creations fetched quite a good price. Though she remained shut in her room, she was still contributing to the family’s livelihood in her own way.

“I put a lot of care into these. The materials are all of the finest quality.”

“They’re impeccably made. I’ll give you three nyang.”

“What?”

A faint, incredulous laugh hovered on Dano’s lips.

“That won’t do. Three nyang? The materials alone cost more than that. It should be at least five.”

“Hm… four.”

“Mister…”

Dano’s expression suddenly changed. Her sharp eyes softened instantly, like a rain-soaked puppy.

She blinked a couple of times, and soon her eyes glistened with tears.

“Our inn is not doing well. We must sell these to support ourselves… Four nyang is certainly a large sum, and I would be grateful, but…”

She trailed off, her lips trembling slightly, as if unable to continue. The tears in her wide eyes were on the verge of falling.